Freshman pitcher Trent Thornton takes on key role

Of all the arms on North Carolina’s vaunted pitching staff, the most valuable may belong to a freshman whose role was very much undecided when the season started. The Tar Heels’ starters have carried them all season, but in the postseason, no one has done more to move the Tar Heels along than freshman closer Trent Thornton, whose lengthy relief outings have stretched the definition of that role. (Charlotte Observer)